WINNING START FOR OSPREYS
POSITIVE SIGNS FOR NEW COACH
SHANE Williams nailed it late on Saturday with a tweet which attracted 100 likes in no time: “Hello @ospreys. It’s good to see you again.” It had been too long. How good were the Liberty Stadium side a few hours earlier against Edinburgh at Murrayfield? Very good. Their forwards fronted up and were physical, setting in place a rocksolid set-piece platform and pressuring Edinburgh in the loose. Mat Protheroe zipped in for two tries and the half-backs controlled play with Rhys Webb outstanding, thinking a splitsecond quicker than anyone else and using his box-kicking to peg the hosts back.
The 25-10 success was the Ospreys’ first away win in 18 months and evidence that they are on the right track under new coach Toby Booth.
Encouragingly, it wasn’t just about high-profile players such as Webb, Alun Wyn Jones, Nicky Smith and Justin Tipuric, all of whom were typically to the fore.
In a strong team performance, three uncapped youngsters also stepped up to the plate with displays which would have delighted Booth.
Kieran Williams, Protheroe and
Morgan Morris all had exceptional games, with Protheroe making his debut.
KIERAN WILLIAMS
Williams is by no means the biggest centre in the world.
But he generates immense power and charges forward as if Maximus from Gladiator has told him to unleash a spot of hell among his opponents.
Williams may be developing into the most exciting young player in Welsh rugby right now.
He rarely fails to cross the gainline, often by pinballing his way off tackles with his determination and low centre of gravity making him exceptionally hard to stop. But he is no mere battering ram. The skill and vision he showed to set up Protheroe’s first try marked him down as a player who understands that doors don’t always have to be battered down: sometimes locks can be picked.
There was a dummy to buy himself space then composure as he looked for support before finding Protheroe.
Williams is an explosive player who makes things happen.
MAT PROTHEROE
How good was he at the home of Scottish rugby?
Making his first PRO14 start, Protheroe gave the Ospreys a cutting edge.
He wasn’t just quick, he was skilful and hungry, annoyed with himself at the end for failing to hold onto a pass from Dan Evans which could have brought him a hat-trick.
But he had shown earlier he could finish.
Protheroe still had work to do after Kieran Williams found him with a pass after bursting clear.
But without slowing down, he unleashed a devastating step off his left foot which took him away from the last line of defence. He made it look easy. That’s what talented players do. The former Bristol player also came up with a sharp finish for his second try.
MORGAN MORRIS
The third youngster to look the part was Morris. He may not be of Scott Quinnell dimensions as a No. 8 but he is a talent and he makes few mistakes.
He is a strong carrier and a highclass defender who boasted a 96 per cent tackle completion rate last season.
Against Edinburgh, he relished the tough, close-quarter exchanges, frequently slowing ball down and doing all he could to make life difficult for his opponents.
There was one 25-metre surge upfield made even better by the way he stayed composed to pick out Rhys Webb in support.
Morris also achieved a turnover and didn’t miss a beat in defence.